There’s no simple way to determine how much to feed a cat, since it depends on several factors. But we know the importance of discovering the perfect amount to keep your kitten well fed, healthy and most of all perky and full of energy. Keep reading to find out.
What’s the best food for my cat?
Before figuring out how much to feed a cat and the importance of keeping your cat well fed, you should know what type of food is best for its health. When considering the healthier choice for your cat, wet food is filled with more of what they need.
Cats require a high animal protein based mea, and since wet food is almost pure flesh it turns to be the best option. However if for some reason you choose to feed your cat with dry food, make sure it’s more animal protein and less vegetable protein, since their tiny digestive systems can’t process them very well and they can get ill.
Why it’s important to know how much to feed a cat
There are many reasons as to why you should know how much to feed a cat, and it’s also important to know that it will all depend on your cat’s habits, health and singular characteristics. If you know the basics of indoors cats, then you know they are prone to getting bored easily if you don’t pay them enough attention, which can lead to them eating too much. That’s why you can’t really trust on serving them and letting them eat until they’re full. More than half of cats in the US are obese or overweight, this is super dangerous because it contributes to heart failure, diabetes and even some types of cancer.
Asides from knowing how much to feed a cat, you should know what should they have according to their health status, maybe they’re lactose intolerant and treating them with milk might not be a good idea.
The right amount to feed your pet
Now the important part, how much to feed a cat? The answer depends on many factors such as your cat’s age, weight, active level, and if it prefers wet or dry food. Animal associations say an adult, regular sized cat needs about 250 calories per day to be balanced and healthy. Keep in mind that dry food contains more calories than wet food, so if your cat likes to mix both types of food you should keep a close measure of how much your cat is eating.
So if your cat weighs say, 5 lb., you should stick to only ⅓ cup of wet food. If you have a 10 lb. cat ½ cup will do the job. And if you have a cat that weighs 15 lb. ¾ cup should provide enough nutrients to your cat. If your pet’s weight is over 15 lb. you should consider taking it to your vet to start a regime. For this example we’re using large cans of food, the important part is to check the food’s calorie count and make sure not to surpass it.
When to feed your cat
Regarding the best times to feed your cat, it can depend on your schedule as long as you remember to do it at exactly the same time. Cats like to follow schedules when it comes to feeding and once you’re both on the same track feeding will be super easy. You can try feeding your cat once in the morning and once at night, with the option of treating them during the day.
Now you know how much to feed a cat! Make sure to be constant in quality, quantity and schedule. A well fed cat is a happy cat.
